Three Irish sisters are rewriting history at the Optimist World Championship, a regatta that is forming the future of sailing.

Maeve Donagh, Emily Donagh and Lily Donagh will represent Ireland in the 2025 edition at Portoroz.

Together with teammates Charlotte Crosbie, Holly Cantwell and Holly Cantwell they form the first all-female team in the country at the event.

Ireland is not the only country to have reached a significant milestone.

Hong Kong has also sent an all-girls team. India, Paraguay, and the Philippines have each sent a female sailor as their only representative.

Among the 20 countries represented by all-male sailing teams are many of the most important nations in the world, including Australia, Britain, Germany, New Zealand, and United States.

The championship this year, which features 287 sailors representing a record-breaking 66 countries, is the premier proving ground for young talent, where they are honed and tested, often launching them towards Olympic glory.

The Optimist class is a single handed dinghy designed for sailors under 15 years old. It is considered the foundation of competitive racing.

It is the most popular class for youth racing and a springboard to future greats, including Ben Ainslie who started his career in an Optimist.

Ainslie became the most successful Olympic sailing of all time. He won five medals, including four golds in a row between 2000 and 2012. This followed a silver from 1996. (Reporting and editing by Ossian shine)

(source: Reuters)